buyer agents: Looking for a Unicorn?
- 10/13/16 03:54 AM
Looking for a Unicorn?
There are many factors that go into successfully purchasing a home. Getting pre-qualified with a lender is first on the list when applying for a mortgage. Writing down wants and needs follows. Third, choosing homes online that fit the search criteria before setting out.
A few signs that a potential buyer is nonviable:
Reluctance to gather all necessary paperwork Indecision after viewing homes on the market Submitting low-ball offers despite any advice
Expectations must be set, time-lines met and sincere effort put forth to realize goals and close a transaction. If not, it may be a cue for the agent to let go rather than wasting more valuable time and resources. Not everyone is looking for … (8 comments)
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buyer agents: How to Find a Home for First-Time Buyers in a Brisk Market.
- 04/26/16 09:03 AM
How to Find a Home for First-Time Buyers in a Brisk Market.
Finding an affordable home in an uptick may be difficult due to low inventory and rising prices. This is where past real estate experience, a little creativity and taking a proactive stance comes into play.
Things you will need:
1. A 4-color flier that gets to the point
2. Brightly colored envelopes 8.34 x 5.75 size
3. Plenty of stamps - a Forever stamp is sufficient
Compile a list of homes that have recently sold in the neighborhood and nearby. Use that as part of the information on a flier made specifically for the area of interest. You have little … (13 comments)
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buyer agents: What makes you any different than the rest?
- 02/29/16 07:44 AM
What makes you any different than the rest?
A couple was helping her aging parents find a second home in southern Utah and called me off one of my signs in a resort-style neighborhood. They wanted information on the unit that I had listed for sale.
I came right over and opened the home. The first thing her husband told me was..."I want you to know that I just don't trust real estate agents!" and then, "What makes you any different than the rest?"
Dumbfounded, I quickly said, "Well, up to now, you haven't met me!" From that point on, I was determined to win him over. His … (67 comments)
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buyer agents: Please re-lease me, let me go...
- 01/19/16 11:03 PM
Please re-lease me, let me go...
There are many factors that go into successfully purchasing a home. Getting pre-qualified, when acquiring a mortgage, with a lender is first on the list. Sitting down and writing out wants and needs follows. Third, choosing homes online that fit the search criteria and then setting out.
A few signs that a potential buyer should continue renting:
Reluctance to gather necessary paperwork Indecision after viewing homes on the market Wants to submit lowball offers despite any advice
A home buyer must be ready, willing and able and if not, it sets the tone, preventing a successful transaction. It may be a cue for the agent to let go to … (8 comments)
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buyer agents: Serious home buyers are not offended by direct questions and expect them.
- 05/26/15 12:36 AM
Serious home buyers are not offended by direct questions and expect them.
Serious buyers prefer facts up front regarding potential properties that may fit their search criteria. A savvy Realtor® knows which questions to ask to move the process along once the home search begins.
Serious home buyers:
Are credit worthy Know their wants and needs Are prepared to purchase immediately Will present an informed offer based on accurate facts Have done some research of their own on reliable sites
Savvy Realtors'® possess the necessary tools to help quide their clients to a successful end result. Serious home buyers will not be pre-empted by someone else's actions, they are ready, willing and able … (21 comments)
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buyer agents: Safety Aspects of Daylight Saving Time for Real Estate Agents.
- 03/09/15 11:33 AM
Safety Aspects of Daylight Saving Time for Real Estate Agents.
Since it isn't feasible to meet potential buyers in the dark of night to show homes, a reasonable step in the right direction is keeping Daylight Savings year 'round for the following reasons.
More day hours to show houses, rather than with a flashlight once darkness appears around 5:30 pm
Driving home during the daylight allows better visability to avoid any impediments on the roadways
Tripping hazards that are seen easily in daylight but may be camouflaged by the cover of darkness
Another positive aspect is the cost savings of utilities such as electricity … (9 comments)
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buyer agents: For every 3 No's, there will be a YES!
- 01/20/15 12:46 AM
For every 3 No's, there will be a YES!
You ever put forth your best effort, only to find out that it fell short of the goal? Or it just wasn't quite enough to get you there? I have quite a few times in my real estate career and am sure there will be more occasions such as the following:
Several hours of planning to get everything perfect for a listing opportunity, a CMA, 4-color fliers, detailed presentation. You show up with confidence only to find that the agent who just left secured the listing.
A referral that you accepted has gone awry due to potential … (13 comments)
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buyer agents: I am just a phone call away if you find something!
- 01/19/15 04:11 AM
I am just a phone call away if you find something!
While showing homes over the weekend, we exited a property just as a couple was walking up the sidewalk. He engaged me and asked if I'd open the home for them. Their agent was not present.
Was he or she on vacation? On a 100 mile bike ride? Running a full marathon? In a foreign country? At a birthday party? Getting a pedicure? Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives? Some beach some where...?
I refused to accommodate them for liability reasons and quickly left with my clients.
What would you have done?
… (17 comments)
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buyer agents: Gone in 60 seconds!
- 01/07/15 07:49 AM
Gone in 60 seconds!
Approaching the home, I began looking for an electronic lockbox to open the front entrance. Just then the door opens and the homeowners excitedly usher us through the door. He wants to give us the grand tour and asks if that is okay. Before I could answer, he had already begun the non-stop spiel about the special amenities and features of the property.
The potential buyers had 3 small children in tow as he shuffled them from room to room reciting every intricate detail. As we finally descended the stairs, the well-behaved little ones were noticeably impatient … (22 comments)
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buyer agents: 5 Things Buyer agents can do to help Listing agents.
- 01/05/15 12:00 AM
5 Things Buyer agents can do to help Listing agents.
Cooperation among agents on the buyer and listing side lends to a more productive environment for all involved, especially when achieving real estate goals for clients. The following is a short list that goes a long way toward the process:
Respect showing intructions. If the home is occupied and to be seen during specific hours only, do not pull up in front of the home and ask to immediately get in. Just because there is a lockbox on the home it does not give permission to enter without proper protocol. Adhere to … (17 comments)
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buyer agents: 5 Things Listing agents can do to help Buyer agents.
- 01/01/15 05:35 AM
5 Things Listing agents can do to help Buyer agents.
When looking up homes for buyer clients on the MLS to preview, accuracy on the listing side is expected and appreciated. The following is a short list that goes a long way toward saving time and energy:
Be sure all information is accurate. Double check when inputting information to the MLS and that includes making sure the address is correct. I recently was unable to find a home because the house numbers were transposed.
Update form when necessary. If you happen to have an offer and are looking for back-up offers, please … (65 comments)
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buyer agents: Are you an "Everything in its place" type agent? Good luck with that!
- 11/30/14 02:02 AM
Are you an "Everything in its place" type agent? Good luck with that!
When taking on a listing that involves an active family, have realistic expectations regarding everyday day living, so the household members are able to still move about freely in their home.
There are never any guarantees in the following:
Dishes put away Floors will be clean Furniture is dust-free Beds are always made No unpleasant smells Dirty clothes strewed De-cluttered counter-tops Clean, organized closets Washed windows & sills Maintained yard and plants It is challenging for people with children to maintain their homes at ‘show quality'. As a buyer's agent, be prepared that the home may not be absolutely spotless. Up-to-the-minute … (11 comments)
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buyer agents: Let it show, let it show, let it show!
- 11/30/14 01:13 AM
Let it show, let it show, let it show!
Agents showing financially distressed properties expect dead grass, along with the plants and bushes, the interior dirty, cobwebs everywhere and darkened rooms. Surprise them instead, with a beautiful showing!
Listing agents, talk to asset managers and convince them of the financial advantage in the upkeep of an upper end home. It may cost some money up front but can be re-couped once the home sells.
When it comes to the strategy after taking on a short sale or foreclosure is keeping the property looking pristine by:
Turning on utilities Maintaining the yard Vacuuming carpets Sweeping the floors Dusting all woodwork Repairing … (13 comments)
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buyer agents: Up in the night?
- 11/29/14 12:06 AM
Up in the night?
An important aspect of purchasing a home within a community is visiting during evening hours, most especially weekends. There are many factors that may present during this time such as:
Amount of traffic coming and going in the area Whether car lights hit the windows of the home Noise level and activities of all surrounding neighbors
Also, I strongly recommend talking to existing home owners to gain a realistic view. Happy home owners will be honest and upfront and vice versa! This helps get-to-knowability with less surprises about a neighborhood after the purchase.
Being proactive ensures that home buyers will look forward to … (14 comments)
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buyer agents: You can call me...!
- 11/03/14 08:01 AM
You can call me...!
A new client and I were in the middle of a conversation discussing her wish list for a future home purchase.
Suddenly, she asked me to pronounce my name for her. To which I did. She tried to say it.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
I finally replied, just call me Wanda K!
And that is what she did!
… (14 comments)
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buyer agents: Going it alone is a B-a-a-a-a-a-d idea!
- 09/09/14 05:06 AM
Going it alone is a B-a-a-a-a-a-d idea!
I received an email from a couple who I had been helping to get to know the local area better by sending available homes on the market.
I had set them up with an account, continued to send local information with the agreement they would plan a trip and we would venture out together to realize their real estate goals.
Hi Wanda,
My husband was on the internet and found a community in _______________ being built by Bobert the Builder. We came down, loved the community, put money down on a lot there. We are now working with them. I … (8 comments)
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buyer agents: Sight unseen. Risky or rewarding?
- 08/16/14 12:40 AM
Sight unseen. Risky or rewarding?
After searching the MLS for days for a home that fit a client's wish list to a 'T' and then encouraging an offer sight-unseen takes a high level of trust on both sides. Being successfull in such a venture means paying close attention to the search criteria including:
Size Price Condition Location Amenities Offer was submitted and accepted. The home was left on the market until clients were able to travel here to do a walk-through, to encourage back-ups offers just in case they wished to cancel the contract. My clients made the trip, loved it and were soon scheduled … (16 comments)
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buyer agents: Successful outcomes depend on desired results.
- 08/10/14 09:47 PM
Successful outcomes depend on desired results.
When setting out to achieve a goal, it becomes necessary to stay on course. Be ever diligent when searching out properties in order to reach the intended end result. Avoid unecessarily creating obstacles that veer away from a successful outcome and stay the course.
Some tips that have served me well:
Remain within the price point. Show homes that mirror the wish list. Tell the truth when asked for an opinion. Be mindful that your tastes will not match theirs. Do not assume you will find that special one the first go around. Clients usually know what they want, chances are they have done some research themselves and may test your ability … (8 comments)
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buyer agents: P-p-p-poker face.
- 08/10/14 02:59 AM
P-p-p-poker face.
Once given the search criteria, it is imperative for an agent to diligently seek out the properties that may specifically work for a buyer to encourage a home purchase. Often a client may hold off showing any emotion, remaining as neutral as possible until they discover that special one.
Do not assume that a home will be crossed off the list just because there are no immediate ooh's and ahh's or joyous exclamations. Pay close attention to body language, it is very telling.
Recently, while walking through a home with a client, thinking we would soon be moving on, suddenly her face … (19 comments)
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buyer agents: Ain't nothing like the real thing baby…ain't nothing like the real thing.
- 08/02/14 12:15 AM
Ain't nothing like the real thing baby…ain't nothing like the real thing.
When hiring a photographer to take photos of a new listing, be aware of the methods and effects that are used to showcase the home. Personally, I appreciate realistic examples of every room, not an exaggerated version of color, light and size of rooms and the surrounding exterior.
My clients and I arrived at a home that we viewed online prior to showing up. The living room looked very spacious and sizeable, until we walked in. The room was cramped, with extremely limited space. Traveling outside, the yard was tiny, whereas online, it appeared … (45 comments)
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Looking for a Unicorn?
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